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Nazi-hunters? Escape artists? Some M.I.A. for decades? Exactly how long have comics creators been part of the intelligence community? Follow the latest recruit from the Comic-Con circuit as he falls in with this mysterious crowd. The secrets he uncovers about its legacy will shock and delight, well, just about everyone.

This whip-smart multimedia explosion by lifelong collaborators Brian Michael Bendis (writer of SUPERMAN and ACTION COMICS) and David Mack bring the worlds of spies and comics together in a loving mash-up that celebrates both. Fans of David’s multimedia comics work are in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat.

Welcome to Graphic Policy’s First Impressions where we take a look at a handful of comics in order to discern just how accessible they are for new readers, because every comic could be somebody’s first – and that’s the first question that’ll be answered with this feature. The second is whether youshould start there because sometimes a book could be accessible to new readers but the quality could be less than average, and so each comic will receive a score out of ten based upon Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale.

Where possible we’ll also be providing recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in, assuming we’ve read any part of the story thus far. All comics were provided for review purposes unless otherwise noted.

Return Of Wolverine #1 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? Oh yeah.Recap, review: Wolverine was dead. Now he isn’t. In the book that represents one of his first full appearances since dying in 2014 or so. With the return, we get a really interesting reintroduction that ties nicely into the character’s rich history and some of his most notable tropes over the years. I can’t wait for the next issue.Rating: 9.1

Detective Comics #988 (DC)
Can a new reader start here? Yes.
Recap, review: Part one of a new arc, and one that you can probably dive into knowing that only Selina Kyle ditched Bruce Wayne at the alter and he isn’t doing well with it.
Rating: 9.0

Batman #55 (DC)
Can a new reader start here? Yes.
Recap, review: Well shit me. Even having an idea of what was coming, I was in no way actually expecting what happened. A recap is irrelevant (par for the course with a new arc), and the review boils down to “you should read this.”
Rating: 8.1

The Last Space Race (Aftershock)
Can a new reader start here? Yes.
Recap, review: Honestly, this is just a super fun comic that’s almost grounded in reality and realism. Almost. I can’t wait for the next issue.
Rating: 9.0

Batman: Damned #1 (DC)
Can a new reader start here? Yes.
Recap, review: Look, you’ve probably heard about about this comic for non story related reasons. Because of the changes in art from the first and second printing (shadows in certain areas on a naked Batman will be less revealing) the price of the first printing has reached obscene levels in the first week. But is the comic worth getting the second printing for the story? Yes is the short answer – if for no other reaon than to see Lee Bermejo’s jaw dropping art work.
Rating: 9.0

Welcome to Graphic Policy’s First Impressions where we take a look at a handful of comics in order to discern just how accessible they are for new readers, because every comic could be somebody’s first – and that’s the first question that’ll be answered with this feature. The second is whether youshould start there because sometimes a book could be accessible to new readers but the quality could be less than average, and so each comic will receive a score out of ten based upon Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale.

Where possible we’ll also be providing recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in, assuming we’ve read any part of the story thus far. All comics were provided for review purposes unless otherwise noted.

Old Man Logan #47 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? Kinda.Recap, review: Even though the series is winding down, issues 46 and 47 provide as enjoyable read as Logan travels to Nova Scotia with Alpha Flight to combat a weird alien menace. It’s worth reading the two issues for that alone, but you can make do with starting here.Rating: 8.8

Batman #54 (DC)
Can a new reader start here? Yup
Recap, review: At this point you should know Batman got ditched at the alter. This issue has Dick Grayson being there for Bruce, whether he’s wanted or not. And it’s one of the best things Tom King has ever written.
Rating: 9.8

Pestilence: A Story Of Satan #4 (Afterhock)Can a new reader start here? I wouldn’t.Recap, review: An unfortunate case of a sequel miniseries not living up to the standards of the first, A Story Of Satan is a disjointed jumble of various elements that’ll make no sense to a new reader – and barely any to an existing reader.Rating: 6.4

The Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Marvel)
Can a new reader start here? Yes
Recap, review: Spider-Man and Peter Parker were separted because of SCIENCE and, predictably it isn’t going well. The comic’s fun, though, and that’s what really matters.
Rating:8.8

Star Wars: Darth Vader #23 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? Yes
Recap, review: Even though this is the third part in the current story, because Darth Vader has become so synonymous with science fiction and redemptive villainy, you know who he is. This issue we’re fortunate enough to jump into the story at what can be read as a new beginning which, in conjuction with the exposition from the Emperor, allows new readers, like myself, to enjoy the adventures of Darth Vader without skipping a beat.
Rating:8.8

The Dreaming #1 (DC/Vertigo)Can a new reader start here? No
Recap, review: So here’s the thing. This is a well drawn comic, but as someone who has never really immersed themselves into the Sandman lore, it is nigh on impossible to penetrate this story in any meaningful way – which means my desire to return is pretty minimal.
Rating: 6.9

Welcome to Graphic Policy’s First Impressions where we take a look at a handful of comics in order to discern just how accessible they are for new readers, because every comic could be somebody’s first – and that’s the first question that’ll be answered with this feature. The second is whether youshould start there because sometimes a book could be accessible to new readers but the quality could be less than average, and so each comic will receive a score out of ten based upon Graphic Policy’s typical ten point scale.

Where possible we’ll also be providing recap of sorts for the relevant story beats up until the issue in question in order to help you figure out if the series is something you’re interested in, assuming we’ve read any part of the story thus far. All comics were provided for review purposes unless otherwise noted.

Asgardians Of The Galaxy #1 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? YesRecap, review: With no idea how this team formed, I can’t give you a recap. But that doesn’t matter because this is an easy comic to jump into (and there’s Throg, Frog of Thunder!).Rating: 8.4

Border Town #1 (DC/Vertigo)Can a new reader start here? YesRecap, review: A comic with a not so subtle social commentary, a cultural mythology lesson and some fantastic characters? Hell yeah. This is one of the best things I’ve read all week.Rating: 9.1

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #23 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? Yes, kinda.Recap, review: So Ben Reilly was a villain and made a deal with the devil, he owes a cure to terminal illness to somebody and his “brother” is going to kill him when he does cure her because his crimes were so egrecious. Sound fun? Wait till you get to the two twists and all the character development.Rating: 8.4

United States vs. Murder, Inc #1 (DC/Jinxworld)Can a new reader start here? YesRecap, review: Ever wondered how a person gets their start as a mafia enforcer? This oddly charming comic blends familial ties with murder as an uncle inducts his niece into the casually brutal way of life of a mafia enforcer while questioning why a woman can’t dothe job.Rating: 8.7

Cover #1 (DC/Jinxworld)Can a new reader start here? YesRecap, review: Weird, wonderful and beautifully illustrated, this is a love letter to the artist’s process wrapped up in a story that begins to reveal itself as the comics progresses.Rating: 8.5

Immortal Hulk #5 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? Yes, more or lessRecap, review: How deadly is the monster within? That’s the question aked here amidst a backdrop of Hulk unleashing against an enemy that can stand his punches. We get a little in story scene setting before an epic battle ensues. Yes, we’re five issues in, bu this is still a relatively safe place to start from (I say this as I don’t know if I read the last issue).Rating: 8.9

Old Man Logan Annual #1 (Marvel)Can a new reader start here? YesRecap, review: Set before Old Man Logan came to the 616 universe, this standalone tale has him facing off against a gang taking a hero for inspiration and wisting it horribly. Becayse it’s standalone, you can read this without ever having gone near the main series.Rating: 8.1

Years in the making, from the award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and multimedia sensation David Mack, comes a brand-new graphic novel experience. And it’s all kind of based on a true story. Sort of…

Deep in the American intelligence community, someone realizes that comic book creators, who travel all over the world to sell their wares, might make the perfect cover for operatives in the dangerous, topsy-turvy world of intelligence and counterintelligence…and that’s when all hell breaks loose. This is the story of the time the world of comics and the world of international spywork smashed together-with unexpected results!

Artist David Mack, follows his Emmy nominated work on Jessica Jones, and his critically acclaimed video work for Dashboard Confessionals and Amanda Palmer, brings another completely unique vision to this driving comedic spy story that is also a beautiful Valentine to all those creators who sit alone and make beautiful stories.

Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.

Asgardians of the Galaxy #1 (Marvel) – A tie-in to the current Infinity Wars event, this comic brings together a rag-tag group of Asgardian warriors. The reason is ok but it’s the personalities and a reveal at the end that’s the real driver here.

Berlin The Complete Edition (Drawn & Quarterly) – Collecting Jason Lutes masterwork looking at the fall of the Weimar Republic through the eyes of its citizens. It’s a society slowly awakening to the stranglehold of fascism.

Border Town #1 (Vertigo/DC Comics) – Kicking off the new direction of Vertigo that’s a return to the edgy social conscious comics of old. The first issue is absolutely fantastic and a must get. A horror comic with monsters you don’t normally see.

Bully Wars #1 (Image Comics) – A new series from Skottie Young. That alone has us sold. The series focuses on high school bullies with art by Aaron Conley.

Captain America #3 (Marvel) – A fantastic relaunch of the series focused on the role of Captain America in modern society.

Cover #1 (Jinxworld/DC Comics) – The fact this is a new Jinxworld title has us intrigued to check it out.

Dark Ark #10 (AfterShock Comics) – Cullen Bunn is a master at horror and this series mashes that genre up with the Bible. So good.

Death of the Inhumans #3 (Marvel) – We admit we were skeptical when we first head about this miniseries but so far each issue has been solid with no issues murdering off long time characters and creating a threat that feels very real.

Dr. Stone Vol. 1 (VIZ Media) – We’ve read it, we love it. Basically, everyone in the world gets turned into stone and a few wake up thousands of years in the future. Where do you go from there?

The Dreaming #1 (Vertigo/DC Comics) – The Sandman Universe takes off with this debut issue. We had mixed feelings about the teaser comic but we’re excited to check out more.

Transformers: Lost Light #23/Transformers: Optimus Prime #23/Transformers: Unicron #4 (IDW Publishing) – IDW’s Transformers universe is finally coming to an end point and these three series are taking us there. What’s on the other side, we have no idea.

United States vs Murder Inc #1 (Jinxworld/DC Comics) – We remember the first volume when it came out and it was a nice spin to the mob story.

The Walking Dead #183 (Skybound/Image Comics) – The introduction of the new community has given the series a shot in the arm and opened up a lot of posibilities. Where is it goign? We have no idea and can’t wait.

WWE NXT Takover: Blueprint #1 (BOOM! Studios) – If you’re a fan of the WWE, this one is a must get.

It wasn’t too long ago that it was announced that writer Brian Michael Bendis was joining DC Entertainment and bringing his Jinxworld titles with him. Now it was been revealed some of his brand new projects that we’ll be able to enjoy this year.

For the first time since creating Jessica Jones, Bendis teams up with artist and co-creator Michael Gaydos on Pearl. Scheduled to debut this August, Pearlis a story about finding out and embracing who you are, not what you were born to be. This sweeping, epic romance is set against the violent backdrop of warring Yakuza factions in modern-day San Francisco.

Pearl is a very special tattoo artist and accidental assassin whose life is turned upside down when she falls for her counterpart from a rival faction. Realizing that they’re both products of a hellish environment with few prospects for real happiness, Pearl and her new lover are determined to escape this life and chart their own fates together.

As complicated and topical as Jessica Jones but with a completely different flavor and voice, Pearl will debut this summer.

Next, the award-winning creative team of Bendis and artist David Mack reunite for another all-new Jinxworld series, Cover. Debuting this fall and based on a true story, the intelligence community figures out that the traveling band of social misfits who make comic books are an exact match to the profiles of candidates recruited for intelligence and counterintelligence gathering. A very well-known comics creator is recruited by the agency to live a double life as a spy. And convention season is upon us. With a nod to films like Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and The In-Laws, this comic celebrates comics, comic creators, readers and of course, spies.

On top of the two brand new Jinxworld titles, it was also announced that more than 150 Jinxworld periodicals and collected editions, covering Jinxworld favorites like Brilliant, Fire, Fortune & Glory, Goldfish, Jinx and Torso, plus the full run of Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming’s landmark series Powers (spanning 100 individual issues and 17 collected editions), are available now for digital purchase and download through platforms such as readdc.com, the Vertigo app for iOS, Comixology and Amazon Kindle, with more platforms to follow.

In celebration of the DC/Jinxworld partnership, several titles from the Jinxworld catalog will have their #1 issues downloadable for free until March 7:Powers, Scarlet, United States of Murder Inc., Brilliant and Takio. Many of these series will be relaunched with all new stories.

Graphic Policy believes in journalistic integrity and transparency. We will disclose when a product has been given for free for review and/or when no cost has been incurred to the staff so that you may be able to make a fully informed decision as to the opinions provided.

When a product has been provided for free you will see disclosure at the bottom of the article. When such a disclosure does not exist, you can assume that the items have been purchased for review.

- The Management

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